The 
Cinder Maid 

BY 

^ Rea Woodman, M. A. 

PRICE 15 CENTS. 



3545 
4 



ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE 
Franklin, Ohio 



THE CINDER N\f\\D 



A Rorr)antic Comedy for Little Folks 
In pour Scenes. 



By REA WOODMAN, M. A. 

Author of "The Rescue of Prince * Hal, " "Galliger, " 
"The Clever Doctor, " and "'Billy Ben's Pirate Play." 



COPYRIGHT 1912 BY REA WOODMflN. 



Eldridge Entertainment House, 

Franklin, Ohio. 



THE CHARACTERS OF THE COMEDY. 

Cinderella, a Desolate Maiden. -^V ^ (\i\ 

Mrs. Toplofty, Her Selfish Stepmother. .^ \'\'''" 

Mabel Toplofty ) 

> Her Unkind Stepsisters. 
Delia Toplofty, ) 

Brighteyes, Her Fairy Godmother, 

Prince Nobleheart, Her Lover. 

The King's Herald. 

Guests, Servants and Pages. 



Scene I. The Sittingroom of Mrs. Toplofty's House. 
Cinderllla at Home. 

Scene H. The Kitchen of Mrs. Toplofty 's House. 
Cinderella has a Visitor. 

Scene HI. The Ballroom of the Palace. Cinderella 
at the Ball. 

Scene IV. TheSittingroomof Mrs. Toplofty 's House. 
Cinderella Re,c^ives the Prince, 



'CI.D 31172 



The Cinder Maid. 



SCENE I. 

Cinderella at Home. 

( Tlie Sitting-room of Mrs. Toplofty's House. 
Mabel and Delia Toplofty moving about in trail- 
ing dresses. Cinderella, in a short, skimpt, 
ragged dress, is seated in a lozi' chair, making 
a bright ribbon boiv.) 

Delia. Oh clear, I wish something would happen. 

Mabel. I wish it were time for the ball. 

Delia, (trailing grandly about). It will be a lovely 
hall. The Prince will be there. 

Mabel, (going to a looking-glass that hangs over a 
shelf). Of course he will ask iis to dance. They say 
he is very handsome. 

Delia. And he has such elegant taste, they say. 

Mabel, (primping). A Prince always has elegant 
taste. Don't you wish you could go to the ball, Cin- 
derella ? 

Cinder. I can not go. There is no use wishing. I 
have no dress to go to a ball in. 

Mabel, (primping). Of course you have n't. How 
would you look at a ball? People would point at you, 
and say, "Look at the Cinder A laid! She had better be 
at home among her pots and kittles !"" 

Delia, (spreading her train). Besides, you would 
not have any manners. 

Mabel. I suppose you think your manners are good 
enough, do you not? 

Cinder, (without looking up). I have not thought 
about it. 

Mabel. That is just as well. 

Delia. The Prince would not care to see you at his 

3 



ball. He is very particular about who comes to his 
parties. 

Alabcl. (inspecting her hair zi'ith a haud-inirror). 
He has to be, or servants and common people would 
crowd all the stylish people out. 

Delia, (sighing piously). Yes, there are so many 
common people in the world. 

Mabel, (to Cinderella). Is my sash ready? (Goes 
to her, and takes it.) That won't do ! It is a horrid bow ! 

Delia. I don't think the Prince would like it. (She 
goes to the looking-glass and poivdcrs daintily.) 

Mabel, (stamping her foot). You are so stupid! I 
told you to make a t^at bow. Look at that! (holds it 
21 p). Look how you have spoiled the ribbon! (She tears 
the boiv p.p.) I won't -wear such a bow! (Cinderella 
eries.) You had better go to the kitchen and scrub the 
kittles. At least you can do that ! ( Cinderella cries 
more.) There, make that all over. 

Cinder, (sobbing). The ribbon is not spoiled. 

Mabel. The ribbon is spoiled, I tell you. How dare 
you say it is. not? 

Delia. You are a very careless girl, Cinderella. 

Mabel, (crying from sheer anger). You are a good- 
for-nothing girl, that's what you are. You can do noth- 
ing right. 

(Enter Mrs. Toplofty, haughtily.) 

Mrs. Top. You girls must get ready for the ball; 
your coach will be here at 6 o'clock.^ — What are you 
doing here, Cinderella? You know you are not allowed 
in the sitting-room. 

Mabel. She is making a sash for me. 

Mrs. Top. Oh, that is different, (to her daughters). 
Go put on your beautiful dresses, my dears, and do not 
forget your gold chains. 

Mabel. But my sash is not done. Cinderella is so 
stupid. 

Mrs. Top. I will finish it, my dear. (Mabel goes, 



siveepi)igly.) What is it, my love? Does your head 
ache? 

Delia. _ {pouting). I do not want to wear my bkie 
dress tonight. 

Mrs. Top. (petting her). Then yon need not, my 
love. You may wear your pink dress. You know the 
King's Herald told Mrs. Gerald De Jones that you looked 
so nice in that. Go now, my love. You must not hurry 
with your dressing, for that always makes your face 
red. {Delia goes.) Dear child, she has no idea how 
pretty she is. The King's Herald admires her excessively. 
(She sighs, and turns sharply to Cinderella.) Have you 
washed the dinner dishes? 

Cinder, {timidly). Yes, Madam. 

Mrs. Top. {taking the ribbon). Is the kitchen floor 
scrubbed ? 

Cinder. Yes, Madam. 

Mrs. Top. And the potatoes peeled for supper? (Cin- 
derella nods.) And the ashes sifted ? (Cinderella nods.) 
All right. Then go iron this lace, (gives some lace), and 
help your sisters dress for the ball. It is time they were 
ready. I will finish this bow. (She seats herself to sezu.) 
Well, what are you waiting for? 

Cinder, (timidly, eyes dozcneast). May I — I — I mean 
I would like to take a little walk after supper this even- 
ing. It is so lonesome in the kitchen, and the birds sing 
so sweet under the trees. 

Mrs. Top. (staring, at first quite speechless). May — 
you — do — zvhat ? 

Cinder, (dropping the lace, and recovering it hastily). 
May I take a little walk after supper? The birds sing 
so sweet, and I — I miss my mother so. (She stands, 
blindly fingering the lace, her head dozvn.) 

Mrs. Top. Certainly you may not take a walk. What 
are you thinking of? You have no time to be gadding 
about the streets. Take a walk indeed ! You talk like 
a crazy girl. Go iron that lace, and mind your pots and 



kettles. You have enough to eat and drink, and a good 
place to sleep. What more do you want-? 

Cinder. I — I — miss my mother so. 

Mrs. Top. You have enough to eat, have n't you? 

Cinder. Yes. 

Mrs. Top. And a good warm place to sleep, have n't 
you? 

Cinder. Yes. 

Mrs. Top. Well then, be thankful. There are lots 
of girls who have no home at all. Hurry up, now, and 
iron that lace. (Cinderella goes.) I must teach that 
girl her place. She is getting impudent. (She sews on 
the sosh.) 

Mabel, (znnthout). Oh mother! I can not find my 
gold chain ! 

]\Irs. Top. (rising). I am coming, my love. (She 
takes some hright-eolored wraps from a chair.) I know 
the Prince will think my daughters the handsomest young 
ladies at the ball. They are so graceful and elegant. 

Mabel, (without). Mother! ! 

]\Irs. 7'op. I'm coming, my love. (She goes, hastily.) 

CURTAIN. 



SCENE II. 
Cinderella Has a Visitor. 

(The Kitchen of Mrs. Toplofty' s House. 
Cinderella, alone, is seated on a three-legged 
stool. Her hands are clasped in her lap, her 
head sunk on her breast. A candle burns on a 
distant table.) 

Cinder. It is very lonesome to sit here by myself, 
when they are all at the ball, enjoying themselves, (lis- 
tens). What is that? (71iere is a steady pounding 
noise outside.) 1 wonder what that is? (rises, scared). 

6 



I locked the garden gate. I know I did Oh, what 

is that? If it is a thief, what shall I do? There is no- 
body in the house but me. (The pounding noise con- 
tinues.) Oh, I know, (ivith a long sobby breath), I 
know what it is now. It's that loose shutter in the din- 
ing-room. There, it's fallen down! (She sits down, 
tremblingly.) Sometimes I get so scared down here. 

I think I will get another candle ; nobody will 

ever know. (She hunts a candle, lights it, and sets it 
on the table.) There, now it will not be so lonesome. I 
wish I could go to the ball. The Prince is going to be 
there. I have never seen a Prince. Oh, I wish I could! 
(cries). I wish I could have a beautiful dress and a gold 

chain It is so lonesome and the shutters rattle so. 

Oh, I wish I could! (She hides her face in her hands, 
and sobs.) 

(Enter Brightzvings, in- a fluffy gray dress, zvith zvhite 
slippers, zvhite zirand, and silver, crozvn-like cap.) 

Bright. Why do you cry so hard, Cinderella? 

Cinder, (starting). Oh, how you frightened me! 
Who are you ? Who are you ? 

Bright, (straightening her cap). I am your dear 
Godmother. Why do you cry so hard? Is it because 
you are lonesome? 

Cinder. Sometimes I am lonesome. My mother is 
dead. 

Bright. Yes, Cinderella, I know your mother is dead. 
I have known you since you were a little, little girl. 

Cinder, (zvondcringly). You have? 

Bright, (smilingly). You were a very merry little 
girl. 

Cinder, (sadly). That was a long time ago. 

Bright. But tonight you cry because you wish to go 
to the ball. Is it not so? 

Cinder, (sobbing anezv). I do! I do ! The Prince 
will be there. 



Bright, {lifting her zvand). Would you rather go to 
the ball than an)^thing — anything on earth? 

Cinder, (earnestly). Yes, Godmother, I would. 

Bright. (laying her hand on Cinderella's shoulder). 
Than anything? Think what you are saying. It is very 
important. 

Cinder. I would rather go to the ball than anything. 
I have never seen a Prince in all my life. 

BrigJit. Then you shall go to the ball, Cinderella. I 
will arrange it. 

Cinder. But I have no ball dress, Godmother. x\nd 
I have no coach. I can not walk to the ball. 

Bright, (shaking her head). Of course not. Have 
you a pumpkin 'rotmd here? 

Cinder. Why do you want a pumpkin. Godmother? 

Bright. You must not ask questions. It is a foolish 
thing to do. People will always tell you what you ought 
to know. 

Cinder, (meekly). I think there is a pumpkin in 
the garden. Godmother. 

Bright, {touching her three solemn times luitJi the 
z^'and). One time, two times, three times. Now, go see 
if the pumpkin is a large one. (Cinderella goes. Bright- 
zvings smooths down her dress, straightens her cop, and 
seats herself on the stool. Then she n'az'es the zvand 
airily.) One time; two times; three times. That is for 
the pumpkin. One time ; two times ; three times. That 
is for the mousetrap. One time ; two times ; three times. 
That is for the rat trap. She is a good girl, this poor 
little Cinderella, and I am going to make her happy. 
Her mother was a very fine woman. 

(Bitter Cinderella, in a trailed red dress, and zvhite 
slippers, z^'ith ribbons and flozvers in her flozving hair.) 

Cinder. CJh Godmother, look at me! Look at me! 
As I ran into the garden, my old kitchen dress changed 
to this one — look ! It is much more beautiful than my 
sister's. And look at my gold chain. And my slippers — 



oh, look at my slippers! (lifts her skirt), x^re n't they 
dear ? They are made of silver, I guess. Oh Godmother,, 
you are so good ! 

Bright, {complacently, on the stool). Yes, I am 
good. Did you find the pumpkin? 

Cinder, (admiring her train). The Pumpkin is there. 

BrigJit. And I want a mousetrap with mice in it, and 
four fine rats. Are they in the garden, Cinderella? 

Cinder, (trailing about). Yes, Godmother. There 
are ahvays mice in the trap and rats, too. This is a beau- 
tiful chain. I think it is pure gold. 

Bright, (getti)ig gravely off the stool). Then I will 
go into the garden, and order your coach. (She goes.) 

Cinder, (sitting dozvn, taking off one of her slippers, 
and examining it carefully). It is made of silver, I 
guess. Nobody at the ball will be so fine as I. I will 
not tell the Prince that I am a Cinder Maid. 

( Hn ter Brigh tzvings. ) ' 

Bright. Cinderella, look out of the window. 

Cinder, (springing up). Oh, what is it — my coach? 
(She looks eagerly.) Oh, oh! Godmother, is that for 
me — for me? (Brightztnugs nods and smiles.) Oh, oh! 
And there are two footmen ! 

Bright. Yes, it is a beautiful coach. Now listen. 
(Cinderella turns to her.) I hope you will have a nice 
time at the ball. But remember one thing. (She holds 
up her zvand.) You must come home before twelve 
o'clock. It is not nice for young ladies to be out after 
twelve o'clock. If you do not come, your dress will be 
all rags again, and your coach will turn into a pumpkin. 
Remember what I say. 

Cinder. Yes, Godmother, I will remember. 

BrigJit. See that you do. Now, are you ready? Take 
up your train. (Cinderella bunches it.) Not that way, 
my child. Take it so. 

Cinder, (trying again). How will I know how to 
act. Godmother? 

9 



Bright, (fixing her hair ribbons, and inspecting her 
generally). You will act all right, if your thoughts are 
kind and gentle. Turn around. (Cinderella revolves 
slowly, anxiously.) I hope the Prince will think you 
look nice. He is a very particular young gentleman. 
Come, Cinderella. (She takes her hand, and they go.) 

CURTAIN. 



SCENE III. 

Cinderella at the Ball. 

■ (The Ball-room of the Palaee. A cleared 
space, with several chairs at the back. Guests in 
elaborate costumes are zvalking back and forth, 
in pantomime enjoyment of the elegant occa- 
sion. After some promenading, enter Mrs. Top- 
lofty, with Mabel and Delia.) 

Delia, (in a long-trailed gozun, with a tiny fan on a 
chain). Is it not a lovely ball? I think so. 

Mrs. Top. (iising a lorgnette). It is a beautiful ball 
indeed, my dears. The decorations are in perfect taste. 

Mabel. And how many fine-looking people there are 
here ! A King's ball is always so exclusive ! 

Mrs. Top. Yes, everything is on the most elegant 
scale. 

Delia. Xfanning) . I wonder where the Prince is? 

Mrs. Top. (adjusting her lace shawl). They say 
that a beautiful Princess from a foreign land has just 
arrived at the palace. 

Mabel, (fanning). Ah indeed. 

Mrs. Top. The Prince has probably gone to welcome 
her. Let us sit down, and watch the dancers. (They 
seat themselves. Guests pass and repass.) 

(Bnter, zvith a flourish, the King's Herald.) 

Herald, (in a loud, business-like tone). His Royal 

10 



Highness, Prince Nobleheart, and the Princess of the 
Silver Isles. {He stands aside. The guests, after a flut- 
ter of excitement, stand in expectation.) 

Mabel. Oh, we shall see the strange Princess ! 

Mrs. Top. (hastily). Now, girls, look your prettiest ! 
Tuck 3-our feet in, ]\Iabel. (to Delia). Don't hold your 
fan so high, and don't fan so fast. Fan this way. (She 
fans zi'ilh languishing ease.) Now, both of you smile, 
and look unconcerned. 

Herald. The Prince and Princess. (He bozi's lozv as 
they enter.) 

(Enter Prince Nobleheart and Cinderella. The guests 
how profoundly, coming forzsjard for the purpose. The 
Prince bozx's, Cinderella smiles. Then, the guests gradu- 
ally disappear, zji'hile the Prince and Cinderella converse 
in pantomime.) 

Prince. You are very kind. Princess, to take such a 
long journey to attend our ball. 

Cinder. How do you know that I came a long way? 

Prince. I have never heard of the Silver Isles. I 
think they must be very far from my father's kingdom. 

Cinder, (sadly). It is a very great distance, your 
Highness. 

Prince. Then nw father will give you a Palace in 
this country. Perhaps you would like to be seated awhile. 
Princess ? 

Cinder. Thank you. Let us sit down beside these 
good women. (She scats herself by Mabel, the Prince 
sitting dozen beside Cinderella.) 

Prince. I hope you are not tired after your long 
drive. Princess? 

Cinder. Oh no indeed, your Royal Highness. I — I 
am used to taking long drives, (to Mabel). Good even- 
ing. 

Mabel, (stiffly). Good evening. 

Cinder. Are you enjoying the ball? 

11 



Mabel, Oh, very much indeed. It is a delightful 
ball. 

Cinder. Do you enjoy dancing? (Mrs. Toplofty lis- 
tens zvitli oil of her ears.) 

Mabel, {leaning back zvith an air). Oh immensely! 
}3ut one gets so tired. (A fezv guests promenade baek 
and forth, furtively admiring the Prince and Cinderella.) 

{Enter the King's Herald, carrying a dish of grapes, 
follozK.'cd by a Page ivith paper napkins and plates. The 
Herald, i^ntli many bows, app roadies Cinderella.) 

Prince, {rising). Permit me, Princess. {He serves 
Cinderella, then seats himself and is served by the 
Herald.) 

Cinder, {smilingly, to Mabel). Will you not have 
some of the fruit? {The Page serves the three ladies, 
and Cinderella gives them some of her own grapes. 
The Herald and Page then retire backzvard.) 

Prince, {eating grapes). Will you not tell me about 
your country, Princess? I know it must be beautiful 
there. 

Cinder, {looking 'way oif). How do you know that? 
Prince. Oh I know. A Prince does not have to be 
told things. 

Cinder, {toying zvith her grapes). It is not so beau- 
tiful in my country as it is here, your Highness. 

Prince, (earnestly). But you are happy there, dear 
Princess? (A clock, somezvhere, begins to strike.) 

Cinder, {starting). Oh,. is that twelve o'clock? (i?w- 
ing, she drops her handkerchief and napkin.) Oh, I 
must go home! I must go home! (She puts dozvn her 
plate. The clock strikes on.) 

Prince, (rising). Oh dear and beautiful Princess, 
do not go ! 

Cinder. I must ! I must ! (She runs out, dropping 
one of her slippers. The Prince, hurrying after her, picks 
it up, and runs out, crying: "Please zvait, dear Prin- 
cess.") 

12 



Mrs. Top. (gaciiig after them). Well, I must say I 
think the Princess has very bad manners, running away 
like a schoolgirl ! 

Delia, (eating grapes serenely). I think so, too. The 
-idea ! 

Mabel. I suppose, in her country, everybody goes 
home at twelve o'clock. 

Delia. And she dropped her handkerchief. Of course 
the Prince had to pick it up. 

Mrs. Top. Most likely she dropped it on purpose. 
(yazeiis) . I do not think she is so beautiful. 

Mabel. Neither do I. 

Mrs. Top. (ya-ii'niiig as she rises). Come, my dears, 
let us go home. 

Delia, (eating). But I have not eaten all my g'rapes. 

Mrs. Top. You have eaten enough. It is not polite 
to eat much at a ball. (Delia rises.) 

Mabel. { yazvning) . I wonder if the Prince will come 
back? 

Mrs. Top. No, he's mooning somewhere over that 
handkerchief. (She gathers her lace shazcl about her.) 

Delia, (yanniing). It has been a poky ball, I think. 

Mrs. Top. Come on. (She gathers up her train.) 
One can not have everything. (They go. A Servant 
enters, takes iip the plates, straightens the chairs and 
goes out, yazvning tremendously.) 

CURTAIN. 



SCENE IV. 

Cinderella Receives the Prince. 

(The Sitting-room of Mrs. Toplofty' s House. 
Mrs. Toplofty is sezving. Mabel and Delia are 
elegantly idle.) 

Mrs. Top. No, I can not say that I consider the ball 
a success, but you were the finest-looking young ladies 
there. 

13i 



Mabel, (going to the glass). But the Prince did 
not ask us to dance. 

Mrs. Top. He had to give all his time to that tire- 
some Princess. I saw him looking at you, but of course 
he could not leave her. 

Delia. I think it was nice of her to give us some of 
her grapes. 

Mrs. Top. She did that just to make the Prince think 
she is polite. She is a deep one. 

Mabel. I hope she went back to her own country, 
wherever that is. 

Mrs. Top. She did n't, and she won't. You mark 
my word. She'll hang aroimd here until she catches the 
Prince. That's what she came for. (to Delia). Come 
here, my love. I want to measure this skirt. 

Delia, (standing by Mrs. Toplofty). She just spoiled 
the ball for everybody else. Are you going to put a 
train on my new dress? 

Mrs. Top. (measuring). Yes, my love. (A tre- 
mendous blast from a horn, or trumpet comes from zvith- 
out.) 

Delia, (turning around). Oh goodness, what's that? 

Mabel, (listening). It's the King's Herald! It's 
the King's Herald! (There conies another spirited 
blast.) 

Mrs. Top. (jumping up). The Prince has fallen in 
love with one of you, and has sent an ofifer of marriage! 
And look at this room ! It is a sight ! (She flics around, 
hiding things. The trumpet blozvs again.) 

Delia, (primping at the glass). T hear him at the 
gate ! 

Mrs. Top. Get ready to receive him, you girls. I 
wonder which one of you it is? 

Mabel, (pozvdering her hands). And here I am in 
this old dress ! 

(Enter the King's Herald, ivitJi a fine martial stride. 
He is attended by a Page, carrying a bcribboncd Scroll 

14 



and a purple cushion. The ladies make deep courtesies.) 

Herald. {After a low bozc, hat in hand, he takes the 
Scroll, and reads with official precision). "Be it known 
throughout the length and breadth of the King's Domin- 
ions that at the royal ball last evening a silver slipper 
was picked up by His Royal Highness, Prince Noble- 
heart. Be it further known that His Majesty, the King, 
has commanded that said slipper shall be carried by the 
Royal Herald into every home in the kingdom until_ the 
owner thereof is found and proclaimed. Further, it is 
the King's pleasure that the wearer of said slipper shall 
become "the wife of His Royal Highness, Prince Noble- 
heart, and Princess over our beloved land." (He sounds 
the trumpet three times, softly, and turns to Mrs. Top- 
lofty.) Madam, ar-e these your daughters? 

Airs. Top. {hastily pozvdering her nose). They are, 
Sir Herald. 

Herald, {handing the Scroll to the Page, and taking 
the slip Iyer from his pocket). The Prince waits without 
to receive the Princess, (to Mabel). Permit me, Miss. 
(The Page having placed the cushion, the Herald kneels 
before Mabel, removes her slipper, and tries on the Silver 
Slipper.) 

Mrs. Top. (pinning up a long rent in her skirt). 
What an exquisite fit!^ What a charming fit! 

Herald, (grimly). I am not so sure of that. Madam. 

(Enter Prince Nobleheart, in a crimson velvet cap 
with a long plume. The ladies courtesy profoundly, 
Mabel rising for the ceremony.) 

Prince, (removing his cop). A'ly impatience was so 
great that I could not wait outside. Madam, (bows to 
Mrs. Toplofty), my compliments. (To Mabel). Please 
rise and walk a few steps. 

Mabel, (effusively). I am so glad to find my lost 
slipper! (She limps around, smilin^gly.) I was afraid 
I would never find it. 

Prince, (ivith a sigh). The slipper does n't belong 

15 



to you. {to Mrs. Toplofty). Madam, will you permit 
the other young lady to try it on? 

Mrs. Top. (ivith a courtesy). Certainly, your Royal 
Highness. 

Prince, (to Delia). Please be seated. Miss. (Delia 
sits dozen, with languid grace.) 

Herald. Permit me. Miss. (He places the cushion 
at her feet, unbuttons her shoe, and tries on the slipper.) 

Delia, (leaning forzcard to assist). Please take it 
off. There is a wrinkle in my stocking. (The Herald 
tries it on again.) 

Airs. Top. (throzuing tip her hands). Your Royal 
Highness, what a perfect fit ! — My darling child, I con- 
gratulate you. 

Prince. Nonsense, Madam. It is much too large, (to 
Delia). Rise, Miss, and walk a little. 

Delia. With pleasure, your Royal Highness. (She 
clatters about, losing the slipper tzmce.) 

Prince, (shortly). You see, Madam, it is not her 
slipper. Have you any other daughters? (Delia re- 
seats herself, and the Herald buttons up her shoe.) 

Mrs. Top. No, your Royal Highness. 

Prince. Are there any other young ladies in the 
house ? 

Mrs. Top. No, your Royal Highness. 

Herald, (rising — the slipper in his hand). Are there 
any young ladies visiting in the house, Aladam? 

Mrs. Top. (coldly). There are not. 

Herald. Plave you no maid-servants? My commands 
are to let every young woman in the house try on the 
slipper. Have you a maid-servant? Come, answer up. 
(The Toplofty girls snitf and toss their heads.) 

Mrs. Top. But the Prince can not marry a maid- 
servant. What's the use? 

Prince. The Prince may marry whomever he pleases, 
JNIadam. Have you a maid-servant? Yes or no? 

16 



Mrs. Top. {scornfully). I have a scullery maid. 
Prince, (luaving his cap). Then send for her. 

(Mrs. Toplofty goes, crestfallen. They zvait in silence; 
the Prince, looking straight ahead, leans against a dis- 
tant chair; the Page, resting on one foot, holds the Scroll; 
the Herald stands by Delia's chair, and Mabel, stealing 
glances at the absorbed Prince, poses on an ottoman.) 

{Enter Mrs. Toplofty, z^'ith Cinderella in her kitchen 
dress.) 

Mrs. Top. (zvith a siveeping bozv). The Scullery 
Princess, your Royal Highness. 

Prince, {starting forzvard joyously). Give me the 
slipper! Give me the slipper! (to Cinderella). Please 
be seated. (He seijscs the cushion, kneels on it at Cin- 
derella's feet, and slips on the slipper in a lover's jiffy.) 
It is hers! It is hers! Aly Princess! {The Herald 
stares.) 

Airs. 'Top. (gasping). But she was n't at the ball! 

Cinder, {taking a slipper from her pocket). Yes, I 
v^as. (The kneeling Prince puts on the other slipper.) 

Mabel. But she is only a servant! 

Prince, (springing tip, and jamming his crimson cap 
■on his head). My dear and beautiful Princess, let me 
escort you to the Palace. His Majesty, the King, waits 
to receive you. (He takes her hand, and she rises, 
gravely.) Ilerald, blow the trumpet. (The Herald 
blozi's'a long soft blast, then three soft short ones. The 
Page picks up the cushion.) 

Mrs. Top. (zveeping). Look at her c—c— clothes ! 

Prince, (grandly, holding Cinderella's hand). It is 
not fine clothes that make a Princess.— Tell them good- 
bye, dear Princess. 

Cinder, (slozvly, looking from each to each). Good- 
bye, everybody. (They all turn disdainfully azvay.) 

Prince. Come, dearest. His Majesty is impatient to 
see you. (The Herald blozvs a soft blast, the Prince 
bozi's coldly to the ladies, then, preceded by the Herald, 

17 



footing softly, and follozvcd by the Page, they go out.) 
Mrs. 7' op. (tumbling into a chair). She will be a 
Princess! (zveeps). 

Mabel, (tumbling into a chair). She will be a Prin- 
cess! (zveeps). 

Delia, (crmnpling up in a big chair). She will be a 
Princess! (zveeps). 

CURTAIN. 



18 



Otber BooKs by tbe Same Author. 

THE NOAHS AFLOAT. An Historical Romance. 

Cloth, 12mo; net, $1.50; postage, 1 cents. 

"A delicious burlesque, irreverent but irresistibly funny." 

—The Bookseller. 



THE HEART AND THE CROWN. A volume of Son- 
nets. Full leather; printed in two colors; postpaid $1.25. 
"The work istjf fine quality, with much that is beautiful and ef- 
fective."— The Giaduate Magazine. 



TUMBLEWEED. A Book of Vagrant Verse. 

Cloth, 1 6mo; net, $ 1 .00; postage, 8 cents. 

"This beautiful poetry has the scent of the prairie grass, the rythm 
of the rolling plains."— The Eagle. 



THE OPEN ROAD. A Book of Outcast Verse. 

Cloth, I 6mo; net, $1.25; postage, Scents. 
"A book of verse which rises clear ^out of the realm of the or- 
dinary." — The Wichita Beacon. 



The above books can be ordered through book stores, or of the 
author, H. Rea Woodman, Poughkeepsie, New York. 



CT 19 1912 



